Northeast
Karen Read defense faces 'high-wire' act as retrial's opening statements kick off, experts say
Karen Read’s retrial in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, kicks off Tuesday with opening statements, months after jurors deadlocked on the case and prosecutors had to start over. But experts expect a tough fight for the former financial analyst.
Read, 45, is charged with murder, manslaughter and fleeing the scene for allegedly striking O’Keefe with her Lexus SUV during a snowstorm on Jan. 29, 2022. He was found on fellow officer Brian Albert’s front lawn hours later with signs of hypothermia and traumatic injuries to his head.
Read has pleaded not guilty, denied killing O’Keefe and alleged she is being framed, attempting to sow reasonable doubt in prosecutors’ claims and asserting that someone else killed O’Keefe and had ties to and influence over the investigation.
Albert hosted an after-party that evening, inviting a group of friends and acquaintances to drop by after the local bars closed at midnight. Attendees testified that O’Keefe never came inside.
UNFAZED KAREN READ STARES DOWN LINGERING QUESTIONS ABOUT ‘DOG BITES,’ TEXTS WITH RETRIAL READY FOR KICKOFF
Karen Read’s booking photo (Massachusetts State Police)
Special prosecutor Hank Brennan and lead defense attorney Alan Jackson are slated to begin opening statements Tuesday. Experts say observers should expect fireworks.
For the retrial, Judge Beverly Cannone has placed limits on how the defense can raise its theory that an alternate perpetrator is responsible for O’Keefe’s death.
“Like a high-wire specialist, Alan is going to dance the line,” said Linda Kenney Baden, a high-profile defense attorney who has been following the case. “Sometimes when you do that, you fall off or, in this case, Brennan is going to try to push him off objecting.”
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John O’Keefe (Courtesy of Karen Read)
She said limiting what the defense can say in their opening about a potential third-party culprit is a severe hurdle for Read’s team.
“Judge Cannone is going to cut the defense off at its kneecaps,” she said. She noted that David Yannetti, another one of Read’s lawyers, opened the first trial by claiming she had been framed.
KAREN READ AND JOHN O’KEEFE: INSIDE EVOLUTION OF BOSTON MURDER MYSTERY SINCE JULY MISTRIAL
“She did not cause his death, and that means that somebody else did,” Yannetti told the court in April 2024.
He pointed to the controversial lead investigator, Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, who was fired last month as a result of an internal investigation into his conduct.
Karen Read is shown with her attorneys, David Yannetti, left, and Alan Jackson during jury selection at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., on April 15, 2025. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald via AP/Pool)
Now that Proctor is no longer a member of law enforcement, the prosecution actually may have an easier time overcoming his sultry text messages in the eyes of the jury, according to Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor.
KAREN READ PROSECUTOR WANTS TO BLOCK DEFENSE FROM BLAMING AFTER-PARTY GUESTS, PET DOG IN OPENING STATEMENT
“Now that Proctor’s been fired, the prosecution can own these bad facts and get ahead of them,” he said Monday. “By ‘fronting’ the unprofessional and embarrassing evidence impeaching Proctor for the jury, and showing Proctor has been terminated for his misconduct, the commonwealth will have a better chance of securing a conviction this time.”
Retrials tend to go better for prosecutors, who know what to expect from witnesses for the defense, said Andrew Stoltmann, a Chicago-based attorney and adjunct professor at Northwestern University’s School of Law.
Special Assistant District Attorney Hank Brennan introduces himself during jury selection in the murder trial of Karen Read at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., on April 15, 2025. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald via AP/Pool)
“I think she faces a major uphill climb,” he told Fox News Digital. “They have many witnesses locked into their story. As for a prediction, I say the prosecutors are going to win this case as they are going to be loaded for bear with respect to her expert witnesses.”
Defense experts were key to Read’s strategy in the first trial, when they testified that O’Keefe’s injuries were inconsistent with being struck by an SUV.
Another attendee of the after-party was Brian Higgins, an ATF agent. Higgins and Read exchanged romantic text messages, and he testified that she once kissed him outside O’Keefe’s house.
ATF Agent Brian Higgins speaks during the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., on May 28, 2024. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald via AP/Pool)
Speaking outside the courthouse last week, Read left open the possibility of taking the stand in her own defense, something she opted not to do last year. Since then, she’s given multiple media interviews, appearing on TV and in print to share her side of the story.
Brennan, a specially appointed assistant district attorney brought in to spearhead the second trial, asked the court to appoint a third-party reader to read text messages between the defendant and the victim to the jury in court. Her defense opposed the move in writing Friday, arguing that an appointed reader could potentially drum up unfair prejudice with an over-dramatic inflection.
During the first trial, Massachusetts State Trooper Nick Guarino read the texts. The defense argued that was standard procedure.
Read the defense opposition to ‘independent readers’:
In the months since her first trial ended in a mistrial, the former lead investigator saw himself fired by the Massachusetts State Police over his handling of the investigation, which included sharing confidential materials in text messages that included lewd and unprofessional remarks about Read.
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He joked that he’d searched her confiscated phone for nude photos, called her a “c—” and said he wished she’d kill herself.
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Judge Beverly J. Cannone addresses potential jurors as jury selection continues for the murder retrial of Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court, April 14, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Pat Greenhouse/Boston Globe via AP/Pool)
The defense also raised evidence-collection and chain-of-custody concerns surrounding Read’s vehicle, fragments of the taillight authorities said they recovered at the scene and other key items.
Close to the time of his death, she allegedly left him a voicemail saying, “I hate you.” The two had also argued the morning before his death, but they went out drinking that night.
A key part of the retrial is expected to include expert testimony about injuries found on O’Keefe’s right arm, which the defense argues were caused by a dog and is potential evidence that he wasn’t killed by a vehicular strike but rather in a fight.
The defense will call Garrett Wing, a dog trainer, and the prosecution will have testimony from Dr. James Crosby.
The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks after taking more than two weeks to seat a jury.
Read could face a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Police in Rhode Island spent days searching for the individual who shot and killed two students and injured nine others at Brown University.
The shooting happened around 4 p.m. Saturday at Brown University’s Barus and Holley engineering building. While a person of interest was taken into custody early Sunday morning, that individual was later released.
Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov died in the shooting. Cook, 19, was the president of the Brown University College Republicans.
The manhunt ended with the discovery of suspect Claudio Manuel Neves-Valente. Here’s a timeline of the investigation.
Timeline of the Brown University shooting:
Saturday at 2 p.m.: The person of interest was seen on surveillance camera wearing dark clothing and a mask while walking on Manning Street before going onto Cooke Street.
2:08 p.m.: The person of interest was seen walking on Benevolent Street and paused when walking by the Aldrich House.
2:16 p.m.: The person of interest turned west down George Street.
2:20 p.m. The person of interest was seen running east on Benevolent Street toward Cooke Street, away from the campus.
2:51 p.m.: The individual was seen on Manning Street turning onto Hope Street toward a parking lot that’s near the Barus and Holley engineering building, where the shooting happened.
4:03 p.m.: The person of interest was seen walking through Lot 42 to Hope Street.
4:22 p.m.: Brown University notifies the campus community of an active shooter.
A shooter entered the Barus and Holley engineering building and began firing, killing two people and injuring nine other students.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for the entire Brown University campus, which was later lifted as police searched for the shooter. Brown University President Christina H. Paxson described the shooting as a “tragic day” for the institution.
“There are truly no words that can express the deep sorrow we are feeling for the victims of the shooting that took place today at the Barus & Holley engineering and physics building,” Paxson said.
ELITE IVY LEAGUE CAMPUS LATEST TO GRAPPLE WITH MASS SHOOTING AS VIOLENCE ERUPTS AT BROWN UNIVERSITY
The outer doors to the campus building were unlocked because of final exams, authorities said.
The suspect was described as a man dressed in black leaving the building by foot, according to Providence Police Deputy Chief Tim O’Hara.
4:50 p.m.: Brown University Department of Public Safety says a person of interest is in custody. The shelter in place was still in effect.
6:35 p.m.: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said during a press conference that two people were killed in the shooting and another eight other individuals were injured.
11:04 p.m.: Police release video showing a person of interest.
Authorities late Saturday released surveillance footage of a person of interest following a deadly shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. (Providence Police Department)
A map showing the Barus and Holley Building at Brown University, where a gunman killed two and wounded nine Saturday, as well as the intersection where a dark-clad person of interest was seen on surveillance video. (Google Maps, Fox News Digital)
PATRIOTS ‘HEARTBROKEN’ AS DEADLY SHOOTING OCCURS AT BROWN UNIVERSITY
Sunday at 5:42 a.m.: After over 12 hours, Brown University lifted the shelter in place and allowed students to leave. Law enforcement officials had been evacuating students throughout Saturday night and Sunday morning.
3:45 a.m.: Authorities early Sunday morning announced a person of interest had been detained. Providence Chief of Police Colonel Oscar Perez Jr. didn’t mention if the individual was affiliated with the university.
PERSON OF INTEREST IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING DEADLY SHOOTING AT BROWN UNIVERSITY
11 p.m.: Officials in Providence released the person of interest that was previously in custody, saying there was a lack of evidence.
BROWN UNIVERSITY SHOOTING VICTIM IDENTIFIED AS ELLA COOK: ‘AN INCREDIBLE LIGHT’
“Yeah, look, I think it’s fair to say that, ah, there is no basis to consider him a person of interest. So that’s why he’s being released,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said.
In a post on X, the Providence Police wrote, “Tonight, we announced that the person of interest is being released. The investigation has been ongoing and remains fully active between all agencies. Since the first call to 911, we have not received any specific threats to our community.”
Monday at 2:30 p.m.: Police release additional surveillance footage of a person of interest:
5:15 p.m.: The FBI and Providence Police released new images and video of a person of interest, showing someone wearing dark clothing, captured from surveillance cameras.
The images were retrieved around 2 p.m. Saturday, two hours before the shooting, authorities said at a news conference on Monday. The person of interest was described as a male, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall with a stocky build.
Authorities added during the news conference that the shooter used a 9mm handgun.
File photo of Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, who is reportedly one of the victims in the mass shooting incident at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, Dec. 13, 2025. (GoFundMe)
Tuesday at 11:54 a.m.: Norfolk District Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts announced that Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro had been killed at his home on Monday night. He was found with an apparent gunshot wound.
MIT Professor Nuno Loureiro who was killed in his home on Tuesday, Dec. 16. (Jake Belcher)
Wednesday at 12:36 p.m.: The Providence Police Department released pictures of an individual who was “in proximity” to the person of interest, who they want to speak with.
Thursday at 9:45 p.m.: Authorities in Rhode Island identified Claudio Manuel Neves-Valente as the suspect in the Brown University shooting. A source told Fox News that the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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A split image shows Claudio Neves-Valente, identified as the Brown University gunman, wearing the same jacket as a man identified earlier as a person of interest in the case. (Providence Police Department)
Police said Neves-Valente used his real name on a rental car agreement, which helped officials locate the suspect. Neves-Valente rented a Nissan Sentra with Florida plates from Alamo Rent A Car in Boston, Massachusetts, on Dec. 1.
10:48 p.m.: U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said Neves-Valente was also responsible for the murder of Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Nuno F. Gomes Loureiro, who died after suffering “apparent gunshot wounds” on Monday evening.
Retired FBI Supervisory Agent Jason Pack told Fox News Digital “people want answers,” noting there’s an intense amount of pressure on law enforcement.
“Parents want to know their kids are safe. Students want to know if they can move freely on campus. Families of the victims want justice, and they deserve it,” Pack said. “There is also pressure. Investigators feel it. Prosecutors feel it. University officials feel it. Families of the victims carry it every hour of every day. Pressure, however, does not solve cases. Evidence does.”
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano, Michael Ruiz, Andrea Margolis and Greg Norman contributed to this report.
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Boston, MA
City officials suspend license of Boston nightclub where woman suffered fatal medical episode – The Boston Globe
City officials said Wednesday they had suspended the entertainment license for Icon, a Boston nightclub, after a woman suffered a medical emergency there over the weekend and later died.
The city’s licensing board is expected to hold a hearing on the future of Icon’s liquor license “in the coming weeks,” according to a statement from the mayor’s office.
Police arrived at the Warrenton Street venue, in the Theater District, just before 12:30 a.m. on Sunday and found a person lying on the dance floor, unresponsive and without a pulse, according to an incident report. Family members on social media identified the woman as Anastaiya Colon and said she had been celebrating her sister’s birthday when she collapsed.
Emergency medical personnel performed chest compressions and took Colon to Tufts Medical Center, according to the report. Family members said Tuesday that she had died.
“Any loss of life in our community is a horrible tragedy and our condolences go out to the family and loved ones,” Mayor Michelle Wu said in a statement Wednesday.
Family members have accused the nightclub of negligence, alleging that, once alerted to the medical emergency, Icon staff failed immediately to call 911, only stopped the dance music for a few minutes, and did not clear the way for emergency personnel once they arrived.
“Their negligence and incompetence to control and clear a crowd for professionals ensured it was too late to save her,” Bonnell Stackhouse, Colon’s former partner, alleged in a social media post.
Boston police detectives are investigating the incident, according to Officer Mark Marron, a department spokesperson. A spokesperson for the Suffolk district attorney’s office said Wednesday morning that there are “no indications of criminality.”
In a statement to the Globe on Wednesday, the club said its staff had acted appropriately.
Club management said it conducted interviews with employees and reviewed security footage that showed CPR was administered “within a minute” of staff being notified of the medical emergency.
EMS was contacted within two minutes, and Boston police arrived within six minutes, the club said.
“We hope the family finds some comfort knowing that Boston Police, Boston EMS, and the Club Staff worked diligently and efficiently in responding to this unfortunate situation,” club management said.
According to the police report, however, the first officers to arrive on the scene were on a routine patrol outside the nightclub when they were flagged down by one of Colon’s friends.
Police also said in the report that the large crowd inside the club did not comply with orders to give space to emergency medical personnel, forcing them to shut down the club and order the patrons to leave.
Icon had planned to hold a New Year’s Eve event, headlined by DJs JayRoc and Roniflee, according to its social media accounts. It was unclear Wednesday whether that event would take place.
Colon, known as “Nena,” leaves behind two children, one aged 9 and the other 6 months old, according to a fund-raiser in her name.
Camilo Fonseca can be reached at camilo.fonseca@globe.com. Follow him on X @fonseca_esq and on Instagram @camilo_fonseca.reports.
Marilyn was born April 10, 1956 to Joe and Hazel (Waggoner) Heitz in Pittsburg, Kansas. She attended public school in Pittsburg and graduated from Pittsburg High School and then from Pittsburg State University with a degree in Education. Marilyn worked for K.W. Brock Directories for many years in Pittsburg and then moved to Topeka, Kansas as an Education and Training Specialist for Valeo Behavioral Health Care and then at the Topeka Correctional Facility.
Marilyn is survived by her brother, Mark Heitz (Lisa) of Topeka, Kansas; her sister Carol Murphy of Leavenworth, Kansas; Nephews, Kyle Murphy (Bridget) of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Kristopher Murphy (Barb) of Topeka, Kansas; Nieces, Kara Heitz (David Sylvester) of Mission Hills, Kansas; Dr. Kim Murphy of Moline, Illinois and Kristina Murphy of West Liberty, Iowa; Great Nephews and Nieces; Joe and Kendall Murphy; Cabot and Claudia Sylvester; and Hazel and Thomas Murphy. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Cremation and burial have taken place and a Graveside Memorial Service will be held at a later date at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Pittsburg, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, her family suggests memorials be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, Inc., 5720 SW 21st St., Topeka, Kansas 66604 and can also be left in care of Brenner Mortuary. Friends and family may leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com .” target=”_blank”>http://www.brennermortuary.com/>. Services are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. Fourth Street, Pittsburg, Kansas 66762
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